This is how the sanctions against Myanmar have evolved:
In October 1996, the EU introduced various types of sanctions against Myanmar (Burma) and its leadership due to serious flaws with regard to democracy and human rights. The aim of these sanctions was to increase the pressure on the country's military regime to meet the requirements of the international community in these areas. They also targeted persons, companies and industrial sectors that directly or indirectly provided support to the regime through their activities. The sanctions have been extended annually and also revised on a number of occasions. The scope of the measures has in this way gradually expanded due to the lack of progress on issues such as democratisation and the regime's continued or intensified human rights violations.
In April 2011, some minor adjustments were made to the sanctions in view of the fact that the country had taken certain steps towards nominal civilian governance. Further minor relaxations were introduced in February 2012. In light of the positive steps taken, and to encourage continued reform towards democracy and respect for human rights, the EU decided in April 2012, in connection with a further one-year extension of the sanctions, to suspend most of the measures against Myanmar, with the exception of the ban on the export of military equipment, etc. In April 2013, a decision was taken to rescind the parts of the sanctions that were suspended, as continued steps towards democratisation had been taken. Only the arms embargo and the embargo concerning products that may be used for internal repression subsequently remain.
and this is what they look like today:
After rescinding the majority of the sanctions in April/May 2013, an arms embargo and an embargo concerning products that may be used for internal repression remain in place.
This means it is prohibited to sell or supply, etc. to Myanmar any arms and related materiel and equipment which might be used for internal repression. It is also prohibited to provide technical and financial assistance related to such products. Certain exemptions may be granted, such as for humanitarian use, maintenance of public order and safety by the authorities, or for use in institution-building or emergency prevention measures carried out by the UN or the EU, etc.
and these are the EU decisions that have shaped the sanctions:
The sanctions are currently regulated in Council Decision 2013/184/CFSP of 22 April 2013, which repeals previous Council decisions. The parts of the sanctions pertaining to EU law are regulated in Council Regulation (EU) No 401/2013, which was adopted on 2 May and replaces a previous regulation.
Link:
Sweden EU Myanmar sanctions page
Posted with BlogsyFiled under: Burma Sanctions, EU Updates, Sanctions Programs, Sanctions Regulations
